A confidential Justice Department memo concludes that the U.S. government can order the killing of American citizens if they are believed to be “senior operational leaders” of al-Qaida or “an associated force” — even if there is no intelligence indicating they are engaged in an active plot to attack the U.S…

[T]he confidential Justice Department “white paper” introduces a more expansive definition of self-defense or imminent attack than described by Brennan or Holder in their public speeches. It refers, for example, to what it calls a “broader concept of imminence” than actual intelligence about any ongoing plot against the U.S. homeland.

The white paper, if nothing else, is smoking gun evidence that Barack Obama has completely abandoned his 2008 campaign pledge to rein in executive power in wake of Bush Administration abuses – meet the new boss, same as the old boss. ...

Also troubling is that, according to the white paper, the authority to kill American citizens without due process is not restricted to the President. ...

According to the federal government an informed high-level government official can now kill an American citizen without due process. Yes, for those playing at home, this is what tyranny looks like.

A confidential Justice Department memo concludes that the U.S. government can order the killing of American citizens if they are believed to be “senior operational leaders” of al-Qaida or “an associated force” — even if there is no intelligence indicating they are engaged in an active plot to attack the U.S…

[T]he confidential Justice Department “white paper” introduces a more expansive definition of self-defense or imminent attack than described by Brennan or Holder in their public speeches. It refers, for example, to what it calls a “broader concept of imminence” than actual intelligence about any ongoing plot against the U.S. homeland.

The white paper, if nothing else, is smoking gun evidence that Barack Obama has completely abandoned his 2008 campaign pledge to rein in executive power in wake of Bush Administration abuses – meet the new boss, same as the old boss. ...

Also troubling is that, according to the white paper, the authority to kill American citizens without due process is not restricted to the President. ...

According to the federal government an informed high-level government official can now kill an American citizen without due process. Yes, for those playing at home, this is what tyranny looks like.